Is it Permitted to Hand Bread Through the Air?
Creating connections through shared meals: Examining the tradition of 'throwing' bread during Shabbat dinners and its halakhic implications
Answer: As is known, it is forbidden for a person to treat food disrespectfully, and in the Baraita in Tractate Berakhot (50b), it is explained that it is forbidden to throw bread. Regarding other types of food, the prohibition against throwing them depends on whether the food would be damaged as a result of the throwing. For example, soft figs would certainly be damaged if thrown, even onto a clean table, due to their softness. However, if it appears that no damage would be caused to the food by throwing it, such as the common practice of throwing candies at a groom when he is called up to the Torah in the synagogue, there is no prohibition at all, as this is not considered disrespectful to the food.
Prohibition Against Throwing Bread
Regarding bread, our early sages disagreed. According to Tosafot, even in cases where the bread would not be damaged, such as when throwing bread from one side of the table to the other, it is still forbidden to do so. This is because bread has special importance, and throwing it is considered disrespectful. This is also the opinion of the Rosh, the Tur, and other early sages (as the Tzlach demonstrated from the language of the Baraita).
In contrast, the opinion of the Rashba and Rabbeinu Yonah (cited in Beit Yosef Siman 171) is that there is no distinction between bread and other foods. The general rule is that any food that is not damaged or spoiled due to being thrown may be thrown.
We have learned, regarding our question, that according to Tosafot, it is absolutely forbidden to throw pieces of bread from side to side on the table. According to the Rashba, however, there is no prohibition in this matter at all.
The Practical Ruling
According to the plain language of the Shulchan Aruch, it appears that he rules in accordance with Tosafot's view, that one should be stringent in this matter and not throw bread even on a table. Many later authorities have adopted this position, and Rabbi David Yosef Shlita ruled accordingly in the book Halacha Berurah (Part 9, page 49).
Even though some authorities have written justifications for those who throw pieces of bread from side to side, nevertheless, one should be careful not to throw bread at all. This is especially true regarding Shabbat bread, over which the head of the household makes a blessing for the sake of a mitzvah. The Pri Megadim (Siman 167, A"A 38) wrote that in such a case, even according to the Rashba, it is forbidden to throw the bread because it constitutes "disrespect for a mitzvah." Other later authorities have written similarly.
In summary: One should not throw bread from side to side on the table. One should be particularly stringent regarding the bread over which blessings are recited on Shabbat.
Rulings of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Shlita courtesy of "Daily Halacha" website
